A cough is a defence mechanism. It is simply trying to remove anything that is unknown to the body.
Why do we get these symptoms:
Fever, body aches, pain and fever and generally feeling grotty – Result of your immune system responding to the infection. It has recognised the virus as a hostile invader and signals to the rest of the body something is wrong by releasing chemicals called cytokines.
Coughing up sputum – a thick mucus containing dead lung cells killed by the virus.Cough, runny nose , and conjunctivitis (eye infection) are common in viral cold and flu infection.
Diagnosis tests
History and physical examination
Chest X- ray (coughs between 3- 8 weeks)
Sputum Gram stain and culture
Sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture – detect tuberculosis
Viral PCR (nasal or throat swab) – detect Covid-19
Complete blood count (CBC) detect signs of infection (elevated white blood cells) or eosinophilia (which may suggest a parasitic infection or allergy)
C-reactive protein (CRP) or procalcitonin
Pulse oximetry – check oxygen levels
CT scan of the chest – if chest complications
Spirometry (lung function tests) – check for bronchitis
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.
A post-infectious cough is defined as coughing that persists 3-8 weeks after the onset of a upper respiratory tract infection in the absence of other clearly defined causes.
It normally occurs after a viral infection such as a rhinovirus or respiratory syncytial virus infection and results from extensive inflammation and disruption of the airways.
Chest x-rays should be considered.
The cough will usually resolve on its own and antibiotics do not usually help, a confirmed diagnosis is required.
A wet cough that lasts for at least 4 weeks and appears to have no other specific cause may be protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB).
While the cause of PBB isn’t known, it could be due to frequent illnesses that cause airway inflammation and injury over time, thereby making it easier for bacteria to grow and cause infection.
PBB should resolve with at least 2 weeks of antibiotics, but the course can be extended to 4 weeks if the cough persists.
However, about 40% of patients will have recurrence, and those with recurrent PBB or with a chronic cough unresponsive to 4 weeks of antibiotics should be referred to a pulmonologist.
Chronic Cough in Children: Identifying Common and Uncommon Causes
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Chesty Cough Infection in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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